Rejoice in the Lord
This last week we wrapped up our Wednesday night Bible study for the semester where we have been walking through the book of Philippians. One of the major themes throughout the letter is joy, a concept made all the more interesting by the fact that Paul is writing the letter while in a Roman prison. We often think of joy as synonymous with happiness, but whereas happiness is often circumstantial, experienced when times are good and things are going well. Joy, on the other hand is a deep-seated hope and contentment, not in our current circumstances, but in the unchanging goodness of our great God. As our focus remains on Christ, the source of our joy, we are able to rejoice in whatever situation we find ourselves in and experience the spiritual fruit of joy.
So, church, my exhortation to us this morning is the same as Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians in 4:6- Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice. The key to that instruction is the phrase “in the Lord”. Meaning that first and foremost we must be “In Christ” having been brought from death to life through faith in the saving work of Jesus in order to experience true joy in the first place. It also means that the object and focus of our rejoicing matters.
Rejoicing in temporary things, a successful performance, another human relationship, a current role or responsibility, cannot produce lasting joy. But as Paul states later in Philippians 4, he has learned the secret to joy and contentment in this life when he says – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me… Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”. While contentment and joy in the midst of the ups and downs of this life, may not be the typical application we hear with regards to that verse, Paul is driving home the point that in order to have unshakeable joy, you need an unshakable Savior. So Christian, wherever you find yourself this morning, riding a high from a recent success, worn out from the trials of this world, suffering through sickness or loss, celebrating this Mother’s Day with a full house, or grieving through a season of loneliness. Remember that you were bought with a price, given an inheritance in Christ that far exceeds any earthly treasure, and that regardless of your worldly circumstances you can experience joy as you set your focus on Christ and Rejoice in the Lord always.